Hoople

[flamboyant]

Ameo Consulting Ltd 

 

 

 

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08898037/AMEO-CONSULTING-LTD/directors-shareholders

[dippyhippy]

Mike Dearing

 

https://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s65133/Public%20Service%20Transformation%20in%20Swindon.pdf

Hells Bells!

 

130 grand, for nine months work - "changing and transforming" Swindon.

 

I wonder if the good folk of Swindon are happy about this......??

 

Nice to see you posting again Flam, I've missed your input!

[twowheelsgood]

It's not 9 months work! It's a £130k contract over about 9 months, split into 'Phase 1 scoping 1-2 days a week and then Phase 2 mobilisation 3-4 weeks days a week' with no more specific detail. So, considerably less than full time.

[Aylestone Voice]

Well it looks as though we are well rid of him

[gdj]

Looks like the councillors in Swindon are being bulldozed by their senior officers like happens here.  Outrageous that they are order to approve this appointment without any tendering, proof of need or proof of  previous high quality performance from Mr Dearing.  A deal stitched up between the CEO and MD himself.

 

 

Lets remind ourselves of what his job description was - then try it with all the jargon deleted (not much is left)

 

 

 

he Shared Services Partnership Ltd


Managing Director

£six figure package


Building on our commitment to partnership working and strong track record for innovation and creativity, Herefordshire is again at the forefront of new service delivery. Herefordshire’s public services have established a new joint venture company to run and share key corporate functions across Herefordshire Council, NHS Herefordshire and Wye Valley NHS Trust. This is a public services partnership between the three organisations, charged with helping the partners to deliver ambitious savings targets.

As Managing Director you will spearhead the development and transformation of the new Company; leading the creation of a dynamic and developing organisation which will deliver high quality and customer focussed strategic, advisory and transactional services. Traditional ‘back-office’ delivered in a thoroughly modern manner as a strategic partner. Efficient and cost effective services which will enable the partners to be better able to meet the needs of the communities they serve. As the new Company develops so will your chance to grow its trading activities which will demand entrepreneurial zeal and real commercial nous.

You will bring a sound understanding of public services and experience of successful shared services delivery. This will be underpinned by a commercial mindset and track record of developing new services and markets. You will have a positive attitude to managing risk and display real tenacity and enthusiasm to ensure we deliver our vision.



Closing date: 3rd June 2011.

 

Perhaps a `positive attitude to managing risk" means "finding another trough to put your snout in before this one is completely empty".

[dippyhippy]

It's not 9 months work! It's a £130k contract over about 9 months, split into 'Phase 1 scoping 1-2 days a week and then Phase 2 mobilisation 3-4 weeks days a week' with no more specific detail. So, considerably less than full time.

Good Grief!

Even worse than I thought!

 

How on earth can this be justified...?

Thank God, that on this occasion, it's not the good folk of Hereford footing the wages bill!

[flamboyant]

Mike Dearings New ventures not so new ..  ?

 

http://companycheck.co.uk/company/08898037/AMEO-CONSULTING-LTD/directors-shareholders

 

 

http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/1546112/january_2012_expenditure.pdf&sa=U&ei=RktuU6bjPITG7AbolIH4Cg&ved=0CBoQFjAC&usg=AFQjCNE3BtCktYKRrG9bANEIQWk4AzPk7g

[gdj]

Nice find flamboyant.

 

So HCC paid Mike Dearings private company £1650 in January 2012.  I can only assume it was a personal service company at the time of a type that didn't need to be incorporated.  So as well as paying Hoople enough money to cover whatever it was doing (transforming something), HCC also paid Mike Dearing directly.

 

The company AMEO was `incorporated' in February this year, just at the time that Bobby47 was revealing Mike Dearing's impending departure and just 4 days after the Swindon council was bounced into taking him on on a large salary.  

 

The Swindon council agenda is interesting - apparently Mike Dearing had two glowing references saying he is the best in his field .  I wonder who from.

[flamboyant]

Actually 'gdj' HC paid Ameo a lot more than that, here's a few more. I haven't been through all of the Councils expenditure so I expect there's a lot more. 

 

http://www.google.ie/url?q=https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/7188567/over_500_expenditure_paid_august_13.pdf&sa=U&ei=3V9uU5GvCsG47Ab28oCgDA&ved=0CCAQFjAF&usg=AFQjCNHuEfYb72jVNvvHvGJ8_NfFtdIQNQ

 

http://www.google.ie/url?q=https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/6842566/March_13_expenditure.pdf&sa=U&ei=3V9uU5GvCsG47Ab28oCgDA&ved=0CCQQFjAH&usg=AFQjCNHKGrbg5fpy-IGggfD9k-irMpYYWA

 

http://www.google.ie/url?q=https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/6842476/April_13_expenditure.pdf&sa=U&ei=3V9uU5GvCsG47Ab28oCgDA&ved=0CCIQFjAG&usg=AFQjCNEDNmF-1KdaKSEahkzCOqSL4dSwYg

[gdj]

Wow

 

Just that first link - about £20k for Mike Dearing in August last year.  And also £40k for Hoople.

 

He is certainly highly skilled at transformation.  He has transformed a lot of our money into his money.

 

 

 

On a much smaller scale, why is HCC paying the Moody Cow pub £1800.   It is an expensive `gastropub' in Upton Bishop (named after a former landlord's ex-wife, I am told)`

[bobby47]

And they wonder why people like us emerge and ask why? It's bloody awful. And it's all perfectly legal! It's so depressing and all so predictable. They've no shame.

[dippyhippy]

Anyone else read this weeks offering from Fffiona??

Over at HT, this weeks opinion piece thinks we should all cut Hoople some slack!

The "Organisation is an asset to the county" and more specifically, "Hoople's figures add up."

The rapid rise in popularity of "council maths" will soon see it being delivered in classrooms across the country!

[dippyhippy]

I would have added this to the previous Hoople thread, started by Bobby - but it has been "archived" and comments no longer allowed??.

 

Colin, if you would like to merge this thread with Bobby's, please feel free!

[Roger]

Is this online? Or just in the physical paper at the moment? 

 

Anyway ... 

 

 

HOOPLE are here to help you get the most out of your day, with a new seminar on effectiveness at work on May 21.

And in a demonstration of efficiency, it is fitting the whole seminar in to a day that starts at 9.30am and finishes at 3.30pm – including coffee and networking time.

 

 

Hereford Times

 

Seems like a 6 hr day ... Once you factor out the tea and coffee, and lunch, and a bit of time messing about on the internet (and everyone tweeting away) I think it's probably a 3 hr. working day! I suppose it is all 'Blue Sky Thinking' tho ... Hey Ho! 

[dippyhippy]

Evening Roger!!

 

The Opinion Piece, hardly ever gets put on line!

 

HT do not appear to want to read our thoughts on their "opinion".....I find this strange to say the least!

 

 

(Networking time........??? If only! I barely get lunch time!!)

[bobby47]

Alas, the writing is on the wall. Even for me. I'm done for. Everything changes. All things shift and move on and the HT is no exception. It seems that 'we'have had our day and its all over.

Never mind. I wish the Editor and the HT well. It'll survive without 'us'. It did before we began tapping and it will do so in the future without our contributions.

It's all over!

[Denise Lloyd]

Oh don't be such a defeatist Bobby.  Your investigative powers and the way you tell a line is far too good to hang up now and especially now.   You never know Ffion might just one day offer you a job.  Keep tapping I say.

[dippyhippy]

I would have to agree, Bobby.

 

It's fare thee well, to the HT......our time has come to part!

 

Don't panic Denise! I think King Bobby just means HT, not quitting posting completely!

[bobby47]

'D' your 'glass is half full' approach to things doesn't surprise me. I wouldn't expect less from you my dear old friend. However, the writing is on the wall. Our race is done. Times have changed and I have to tell you that 'we're no longer wanted on the HT. I know this to be the case.

The parting isn't a matter of any hostility toward us. None at all. They are simply tired of us and the constant barrage of complaints the Council direct at them after 'we' collectively say something that upsets them.

There was a time when we all wanted to know that the Council and the Cabinet listened. Well, we achieved that toward the latter part of last year. The trouble is, we created a notion, a perception that we simply were a group of moaners and groaners. It's these things that have seen 'us' go into decline and be perceived as mendacious oddities.

Truly Denise , we are finished. It's done. The games up. We all now simply stagger onto 2015, vote this chaotic and deluded Cabinet out of Office and pray that a group emerge who'll try to do the right things. It'll be either the IOC or the Independants who'll dig us out of this mess and deliver the one thing we all wish for. Sane and rational thinking. That's all. Nothing else. A will to do what's right and for the benefit of all who need good and sensible governance.

Take care old mate!

[flamboyant]

I hope you're right Bobby but I'm inclined to think the nightmare is about to get a whole lot worse and 2015 is a long time coming!

[bobby47]

And remember this, all things go in cycles. Everything does. Unfortunately for 'us' we are currently out of favour but that is the way of things. Once the wheel has turned half a circle perhaps we'll get back in favour again. Who knows!

It's no easy task being the Editor of a newspaper. Remember the news and the reporting style must be fair and balanced. On the one hand, the Editor tasks people like our Bill Tanner to dig and report the things that are normally secreted from us by the ruling elite. And,on the other, the less noisy who voted this Cabinet into Office have the right to have their voice heard and, if they and others see Hoople as a wonderful thing, even if its at odds with what we think, they have the right to be represented. I honestly believe the Editor is simply trying to retain a sort of balance. A balance of fairness that doesn't fit easily with us who see Hoople as a huge millstone wrapped around our necks.

Anyway, that said, for what it's worth, that's how I read the tea leaves in the cup. We are finished. That's it. The end! and we ain't going to change anything until the wheel turns, the Tory's lose power, another group come in and start lifting up stones that secrete secrets that we were never meant to ever see. Once that happens and things are discovered which will be highly enlightening, perhaps then we'll have a part to play again upon the pages of the HT.

[Denise Lloyd]

Now I wonder who lives down Upton Bishop way!!

[flamboyant]

Who lives in Upton Bishop?

[dippyhippy]

Errr, Colin.....what's going on??

 

I tried to post on this thread the other day, and it was "archived" and closed to comments.....

 

Where am I going wrong??

 

I seem to be missing something here......!

[twowheelsgood]

 

Actually 'gdj' HC paid Ameo a lot more than that, here's a few more. I haven't been through all of the Councils expenditure so I expect there's a lot more. 

 

http://www.google.ie/url?q=https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/6842476/April_13_expenditure.pdf&sa=U&ei=3V9uU5GvCsG47Ab28oCgDA&ved=0CCIQFjAG&usg=AFQjCNEDNmF-1KdaKSEahkzCOqSL4dSwYg

 

 

Whats the first thing I see - a payment of £430 to Black Mountain Mineral Water Co - they just don't get it do they?

 

In March 2013, Ameo were paid £20900.

 

In April 2013, Ameo were paid £13200.

 

In August 2013, Ameo were paid £20990.

 

That’s just from those three links above. Is it me or do this all seem a little, well, odd?

 

There are pages and pages of payments to Ethica Resourcing Ltd - I assume that is for agency staff to cover for those who've been made redundant.

[Denise Lloyd]

If I am not very much mistaken Upton Bishop is Ross way and doesn't our friend Bramer and possibly Jarvis live that way

[twowheelsgood]

Actually, I see that Ameo Ltd are a different and seemingly separate company to Ameo Consulting Ltd and Dearing is not a director of the former. However, Ameo Ltd talks the sort of management gobblegook that the council must have loved - 'Ameo is a niche interim management consultancy specialising in project and programme management for business change and transformation initiatives'. It must be a coincidence that Dearing is now trading with a very similar name ...

[flamboyant]

TWG actually Ben Ward is the director of AMEO LTD Mike Dearing is the Director of Ameo Consulting they are both Directors of Ameo Professional now you may think that's a coincidence but I'm sorry I don't agree. Sorry but there's definitely no coincidence,  check it out 

 

http://companycheck.co.uk/search/results?SearchCompaniesForm%5Bname%5D=ameo&yt0.x=28&yt0.y=14&yt0=submit

[flamboyant]

Below is a link to a letter from Cllr Roger Phillips to Parish Councils in January 2013. The letter mentions a lady called Jenny Hastings inspecting one of our schools. 

 

 

http://www.nhca.org.uk/sites/www.nhca.org.uk/files/january_2013_update.pdf

 

Jenny Hastings is an independent educational advisor who is a Director of Ameo Training and development incorporated in January 2014. Ben Ward is a Director of Ameo Ltd incorporated in 2010. He is also a Director of Ameo training and Ameo professional 

 

Jenny Hastings linkedin profile below 

 

 

Ameo are a coaching, training and leadership programme delivery partner that specialise in business change and transformation across Local Government and Health. We focus on helping clients achieve sustainable change and desired outcomes through providing tailored training solutions and coaching expertise. We achieve this by creating in partnership with our client’s, unique development programmes that focus on helping teams and individuals become more effective in leadership and team working in complex organisational environments. 

 

Typically the Local Government and Health organisations we work within have a workforce who face the challenges of:

 

• Responsibility without authority

• Multiple ‘dotted line’ relationships both with and outside of the organisation

• Collaborating with a multitude of stakeholders

• Ambiguity and uncertainty

• Navigating a changing ‘political’ landscape

• Having to respond to several competing projects, processes and teams

 

In complex organisational environment the beliefs, behaviours, knowledge and skills for success are very different from those within traditional hierarchical structures and our leadership programmes are designed to facilitate the development of these skills.

 

Ameo is driven by individual client needs and desired outcomes. We understand that your situation is unique and requires a bespoke solution that provides access to a flexible and responsive pool of expert resources that can be called upon to either help you shape the desired outcome or take responsibility for the delivery of defined outcomes. Our associates are highly skilled and experienced specialists who will work with you to define, scope and deliver your requirements.

 

Our core markets are Local Government, NHS, Voluntary Sector, Social Enterprises and Private Sector providers. 

 

 

Ameo have done a considerably amount of work for Herefordshire Council and earned a huge amount of money.

[gdj]

I think there are two Jenny Hastings here.  The Education one and the Ameo one.

 

To summarise Ameo if I have this right:

 

Ameo Ltd:  Ben Ward and Fiona Ward (presumably related).  This is the company that has received large direct payments from HCC

Ameo Consulting:  Mike Dearing (set up in February this year for his Swindon money to be paid into)

Ameo Professional Services LLP . Set up in April this year: "members" are Ben Ward, Mike Dearing and the the two companies Ameo Ltd and Ameo Consulting)

Ameo Training and Development Ltd: Set up January this year: Directors Ben Ward and Jenny Hastings

 

So a little network of links.  Well done Flamboyant.  

 

A couple of other things: Jenny Hastings has on her linked in page who she has been doing work for:

 

 

 

 

This for Jenny Hastings other company Insight4

 

 

 

Currently working with: 
Wiltshire County Council - Exceutive Coaching programme for Senior Management team
London Boroughs - MACE Leadership Programme and Executive Coaching
Hoople Ltd - project managing the re-structure of three public sector organisations to create one joint venture private sector company transforming the delivery of local services.
Avalon Leisure delivering ILM leadership training and coaching
South West SHA delivering Project Management Training

 

 

No doubt it was all open to full competitive tender and Insight4/Jenny Hastings was the best value company to help Hoople.

 

No doubt also that when HCC signed off the money to Ameo Ltd it knew the links to Mike Dearing and Hoople

 

And a final moan - the use by Dearing of the LLP - limited liability partnership with "members".   This is a well known vehicle that was originally meant for partnerships of lawyers and accountants that is now being used by all sorts of other organisations. The give the opportunity to pay a lot less national insurance.  

 

This from the website `accounting web`

http://www.accountingweb.co.uk/topic/business/limited-company-or-partnership-which-best

 

 

 

 

Whilst income tax rates for partners and directors are the same, directors of a limited company pay national insurance contributions (NICs) at a much higher rate than members of a partnership which adds significantly to both the company's and individual's tax bill. Indeed, to pay the director of a company and member of a partnership £65,030 net, the company would have to make 14.3% more profit than the equivalent partnership. Indeed, in the example below, the limited company pays a total of £49,272 to the Government, whilst the partnership pays £34,970

 

No doubt this is irrelevant - Mr Dearing will realise he is dependent on public sector spending paid for by all our taxes - and be keen to avoid any suggestion of tax avoidance on his own behalf.

 

 

edited to make clear that it is Insight4 that got Jenny Hastings the work with Hoople.